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Overall Rating:

About Balanced Guru:

“At Balanced Guru, we are a group of individuals who are both passionate and devoted to physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness and how it translates to all aspects of beauty in the world.

Often, this beauty is reflected in how balanced our bodies and our minds are. In an effort to produce a thoroughly researched and effective product, our hope is to facilitate a balance between your inner and outer beauty. Thus, we have created a product line where you will be able to balance your mind, body, and spirit. At Balanced Guru, we strongly believe that we are all gurus and we are all students searching for balance and peace. It is our belief that this notion of achieving physical, emotional, and spiritual balance is at the core of our wellbeing. With that in mind, the ingredients we use are 100% congruent with the things we value most. At Balanced Guru our promise to you is to offer the finest certified organic choices that have been carefully formulated based on ancient eastern wisdom and modern scientific research. With every step of the process we operate from our strong belief of an ethical, environmental, and social responsibility.

We have made a conscious and passionate decision to promote wellbeing for ourselves, to others, and to our planet, by weighing the impact of the ingredients, packaging materials, and processes we choose to use and the ways in which we give back to our communities. Although we feel everyone possesses a unique inner and outer beauty, we hope you find a way to maintain and nourish your beauty inside and outside through the wide variety of products we offer.”

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“Even your scalp needs a break from time to time. Give your tired roots the rest they need with this detoxifying scalp treatment. Our astringent blend of Oregano, Tea Tree Oil and Rosemary essential oils will help begin the detox process, while Algae, sea Kelp and Brahmi help to rejuvenate tired roots. For best results, give your hair a break from styling products as well.

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My Thoughts:

My first thought before trying this detoxifying scalp concoction was: I could make this myself, but it would be expensive. I usually begin to make things myself when I believe the ingredients are subpar. In this case, the ingredients are sublime!

Besides the fact that I am completely in love with the Balanced Guru’s mission and mindset; this is a fantastic, high-quality & organic product. I couldn’t ask for anything better in regards to the ingredient list.

The scent of this blend is very herbaceous and multi-faceted. I’ve been applying it to my scalp about 30 minutes before showering. I use a very clarifying, organic shampoo (which I would recommend in this case) to wash my hair and it rinses out this oil beautifully. I would imagine it’s easy to rinse out since the base of this treatment is aloe vera and the other ingredients are essential oils (which are not fatty oils–what are more like water in regards to consistency).

I don’t have issues with a lack of hair growth nor flaky skin on my scalp, but I’d recommend this to someone that does. If you’re looking for a natural remedy to help stimulate hair growth, this product is a good choice. It’s also perfect for a girl like me who exercises frequently, gets sweaty and needs a healthy hair boost from time to time. For me, once a week has been sufficient. I’d imagine you could use this treatment more often if your hair is extremely dull and lacks liveliness.

Besides leaving the roots of your hair lifted and revitalized, it helps detoxify the skin on your scalp–and who doesn’t want that? Healthier skin on your head means healthier hair.

This is an excellent, unique product and I highly recommend it to those looking to achieve their healthiest hair and scalp.

Vapour Organic Beauty

Overall Rating:

“New Formula! Mesmerize Eyeliner glides on like a dream delivering a smooth precise line for a perfectly defined eye. You can also use the blending tool for a seductive, smoky eye. Finally, professional performance in an organic eyeliner.

Mesmerize Eyeliner contains soothing Chamomile Flower and is Gluten Free. This eyeliner is designed to moisturize and nourish the eye area without the harsh chemicals and skin-aging adhesives found in most eye cosmetics.

I have known about Vapour beauty for several months now, after experiencing one of their products in a Goodebox sample box. They are one of my favorite organic makeup brands–and as you can see, they are on my list of “Brands I Love.”

This line as a whole is USDA Organic and this specific product is 70% organic. Pretty impressive–I’m always eager to try a new Vapour product.

My main problem in the past with eyeliner has been:

-Irritates my eyes

-Doesn’t apply easily and evenly

-Sketchy ingredients

This eyeliner solves all of those problems, making me give this product high ratings. I even used this eyeliner on my wedding day! Vapour makes this color, “truffle” and they also make a black version. I like this brown color because it matches my natural hair color and accentuates my last lash line without being too dramatic looking.

One of the best things about this product is that for me, it doubles as an eyebrow liner. The smudge tool at the opposite end of the liner also helps with making the color blend into the brows. Something as simple as filling in your brows a little bit can accentuate your brow bones and eyes.

I recommend this to any gal on a search for a great, organic eyeliner. As usual, Vapour doesn’t disappoint with this product.

*These complimentary products have been generously provided to me for the purpose of trying them in order to write a review on my experience.

“At ZWEENA Body Care we’ve carefully chosen the following wholesome ingredients and botanicals, allowing us to create the purest and most effective line for naturally beautiful skin and hair. Our signature ingredient, Organic Argan oil, is made by Berber women in fair-trade cooperatives in Morocco and certified organic by ECO CERT. All of our beauty elixirs are toxin-free, cruelty-free and preserved in dark violet bottles from Switzerland. Our line is free of parabens, synthetics, sulfates, petroleum, GMOs, animal byproducts, artificial colors and fragrances. As a company committed to the highest quality skincare, it is important that the products be as effective as the ingredients are pure. 98% of our ingredients are certified organic.

“For centuries, Moroccan women have used argan oil, referred to as “liquid gold,” as a beauty elixir for anti-aging. A multi-use, multi-benefit daily treatment, argan oil is extremely high in antioxidants, essential fatty acids and Vitamins A, E and F, making it a natural super food for healthy glowing skin. Our Argan Oil is 100% organic, first cold-pressed, chemical-free and of the highest quality sourced directly from a fair-trade cooperative in Morocco that we visit.

I have always heard of Argan oil, but had yet to try it. The best way to try something is in its pure form so, enter: Zweena.

Using this oil on my face appears to treat all of the problems you could have with your skin. For me, it’s mostly redness, blemishes and dry skin (around lips and nose) in the winter months. I find it to be everything it promises to be. It is entirely organic and effective–what more could you ask for in a facial oil?

I have been pleased with this oil. I apply it to my face right after washing–using the droplets of water still on my face to spread the oil on evenly and easily.

I would recommend this to anyone looking for a purely organic product to apply to their skin.

What I know about rose in skin serums is that it is effective in soothing irritated skin. Zweena suggests that it also targets wrinkles and aging, which is a characteristic that I see appealing to a lot of women.

This oil is even better than the argan oil alone for my skin. The use of additional oils in this blend do an even better job of working magic on my skin and helping make it look its healthiest and clearest.

The quality of this blend is tops and is highly effective in healing and helping skin. I would recommend this oil for those who have issues with their skin, be it dryness, blemishes or wrinkles.

*These complimentary products have been generously provided to me for the purpose of trying them in order to write a review on my experience.

Erbaviva Organic Skin Care

Overall Rating:

About Erbaviva:

“Robin Brown and his wife Anna Cirronis, started Erbaviva in 1996 as a way to offer mommies-to-be and babies upscale products completely free from all harsh detergents, chemical fragrances, and other unhealthy additives.

Line Additions
Following the success of our baby care line, Erbaviva created an organic pregnancy collection that included everything a mommy-to-be could wish for during the nine months of pre-natal body care. Today we offer a wide range of products for the entire family with bath, body and true aromatherapy. Using the highest quality organic and wildcrafted essential oils, our products are freshly made with loving care through all stages of production at our own facility in Southern California.

Organic Ingredients
For us, being organic should be the conscious consumer’s expectation and the conscientious manufacturer’s doctrine. We only label our products “organic” on the front label if they contain more than 99% certified organic ingredients. Please look at our back labels where we list all of the ingredients and state which ones are organic. When we use botanical extracts we do so in therapeutic proportions. So much so that you will see that they affect the product color as their inclusion increases product efficacy. We are very proud of our ingredients labels; we encourage you to read them! more about organic or more about our ingredients.”

“This award winning product was made after an over-whelming result from our Original Organic Deodorant we have launched JASMINE GRAPEFRUIT, soft, feminine and subtle. You will love it! Aluminum & Chemical Free.

“If you’re one who loves to feel fresh but recoils after a quick scan of the content label on most conventional deodorants, then our award winning Organic Deodorant is just the product for you. By blending organic extracts of Sage, Lemon, Patchouli, and Tea Tree Oils with organic grain alcohol, we’ve created a sweet smelling product that counteracts the growth of bacteria but doesn’t clog pores. Aluminum & Chemical Free!

When products are this good, I feel that I do not need to write much, because I basically only have applause and no scrutiny. This deodorant smells wonderful–I wouldn’t think to put jasmine & grapefruit together, but they make for a flowery and zesty scent.

The spray feature is convenient prevent application from being messy. I find that two sprays under each arm is sufficient for all-day long. To maintain a pungent fresh smell, I would reapply once later in the day if I was a bit sweatier that day.

My husband uses the lemon & sage version of this product and has been very happy with it–and that it rare, as a lot of natural and/or organic deodorants I have asked him to try have not been sufficient in regards to longevity and effectiveness. I see us restocking these products when we are out! I recommend the “Jasmine & Grapefruit” to active gals and the “Lemon & Sage” for active guys. I believe even heavy sweaters will be pleased.

“Use this wonderful potion throughout the day on hands and arms for a charge of fresh air. Used in conjunction with our Breathe Room & Body Spray the combination of pines, herbs, and leaves is the perfect antidote to indoor air conditioning, pollen season, and colds.

Exceptional ingredients and nourishing components make this lotion awesome. What makes it even more awesome is the fact that I would describe the scent as unisex–making it perfect to put in a family bathroom for everyone to use.

One application on fresh, clean after showering keeps my skin hydrated all day long–with no goopy-ness or oiliness. I would recommend this to any lotion-seeking individual who wants a product that will suit the whole family.

“NEW – Our new Refreshing Foot Balm doesn’t just smell great and warm the skin, it has essential oils of grapefruit and cypress to help stimulate circulation while relieving swollen feet with Ginger, Cypress and Lavender. Petroleum free and almost 100% organic, Mommy can rub in this Foot Balm several times a day.

This was the one product that was a new idea to me. I typically neglect my feet–which is a bit ironic as much as I run. My feet certainly needed some tender love. I started applying this in the evenings before bed (putting on socks after applying, so my feet could absorb it and I would make the carpet messy).

It moisturizes my dry, calloused feet, but it also feels to affect my whole body. Feet, just like the rest of our skin, absorbs what is on it. I’m sure the powerful essential oils in this balm benefit the rest of my body as well.

The scent of this balm is soothing, relaxing, and perfect for pre-bedtime. I see myself continuing this routine in the future.

I would recommend this product to anyone like me who neglects their feet and would benefit from some pampering.

*These complimentary products have been generously provided to me for the purpose of trying them in order to write a review on my experience.

Overall Rating:

“JustNeem, LLC is a Body Care company based in Cary, NC, specialized in natural premium Neem products for body and skin care. JustNeem is a certified B-Corporation. B-Corporations are a new type of corporation, which use the power of business to solve social and environmental problems.

From our profit we support job creation, economic development, Neem tree planting and ecological improvements in the Sahara Desert of Mauritania, West Africa. Read more aboutOur Mission. This year, 2012, we were recognized by B Lab as a “Best For the World” company for our efforts.

All products we make are with the finest cosmetic grade raw materials and contain naturally grown Neem and other pure ingredients that help sustain healthy and soothe irritated skin. Our Neem comes from our own orchards grown organically in the deserts of Africa.

JustNeem products are made with African Neem- and there is a reason for that. African Neem is known for its high concentrations of active ingredients that exert Neem’s healing and protective properties.

We know that you will love what Neem can do for your skin and enjoy using JustNeem Body Care products!”

This body polish smells like taking a deep breath of ocean air. It is like having a little container of the beach with you in your shower.

The oily mixture and grittiness of this polish make it such a nourishing experience for your skin. The grit isn’t too abrasive, but just enough to remove the dead skin cells from the surface. I think this scent would appeal to both men & women, making it great to put in a shower for family or guests in your house (if you are nice enough to share such a treat!). 🙂

I love that Just Neem uses organic oils in this body polish. Most of the other ingredients are clean–as they do not use sulfates, parabens and phthalates (all harsh chemicals) in their product line.

“Saturate your skin with the moisturizing elements of Coconut oil and the healing benefits of Neem. This Coconut Neem soap is perfect for irritated and stressed skin. It relieves dryness and helps fight skin infections. The exotic Coconut-Vanilla fragrance is plainly irresistible! It reminds you of relaxing at the beach!

Use our Coconut soap for your face as well as your body. Many customers have reported it’s excellent use for Acne prone skin.

This soap smells like coconut heaven! Like the body polish brings you right to the ocean, this soap brings you right to a beach surrounded by coconut trees. The coconut scent is rich and intoxicating.

I use it as a hand soap by my bathroom sink, but it is also fantastic for acne prone skin, as Just Neem suggests. Having a dual purpose soap on hand that smells divine is a great thing.

It leaves skin clean but not stripped, and smelling fantastic. Unfortunately, I’m a bit discouraged by some of the ingredients because they are items that I have learned to be harsh. Would love and applaud this soap a lot more without those extras.